Synthesized percussion pedal and looping station

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating control of midi-sequence generation is disclosed. The apparatus may include a midi-sequence module configured to store a plurality of main midi sequences, store a plurality of fill midi sequences, and playback a plurality of main midi sequences and the plurality of fill midi sequences. The apparatus can also include a first foot-operable switch configured to operate the midi-sequence module, an instrument input, and a looping means configured to record a plurality of signals received from the instrument input, generate a plurality of recorded loops associated with the plurality of recorded signals, store the plurality of recorded loops, and playback each of the plurality of recorded loops. The apparatus can also include a second foot-operable switch configured to operate the looping means.

The following is claimed: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a first processing module, wherein the first processing module is configured to:
 trigger a main midi sequence in response to a first activation command associated with a first foot-operable switch, 
 trigger a fill midi sequence associated with the main midi sequence in response to a second activation command associated with the first foot-operable switch, 
 transition to a playback of another main midi sequence in response to a third activation command associated with the first foot-operable switch, and 
 stop the playback of the main midi sequence, in response to a fourth activation command associated with the first foot-operable switch,
 wherein each of the plurality of activation commands are triggered based on, at least in part, a duration and frequency of a user application of the first foot-operable switch; and 
 
 
 a second processing module coupled to the first processing module, wherein the second processing module is configured to:
 commence a recordation of a signal received from an instrument input in response to a first activation command associated with a second foot-operable switch, 
 stop the recordation of the signal received from the instrument input in response to a second activation command associated with the second foot-operable switch, 
 initiate a playback of a recorded loop in response to a third activation command associated with the second foot-operable switch, and 
 overdub the recorded loop in response to a fourth activation command associated with the second foot-operable switch,
 wherein each of the plurality of activation commands are triggered based on the duration and frequency of a user application of the second foot-operable switch. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the first foot-operable switch, the second processing module being further configured to:
 commence the recordation of the signal received from the instrument input, and 
 play back one of a plurality of main midi sequences. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the second foot-operable switch, the first processing module being further configured to:
 play back the recorded loop, and 
 play back of one of a plurality of main midi sequences associated with the recorded loop. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the first foot-operable switch, the first processing module being further configured to:
 stop the playback of the main midi sequence, and 
 stop the playback of the recorded loop. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the second foot-operable switch, the first processing module being further configured to:
 stop the playback of the main midi sequence, and 
 stop the playback of the recorded loop. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the first foot-operable switch, the first processing module and the second processing module being configured to:
 transition to the playback of the other main midi sequence, and 
 commence the recordation of the signal received from the instrument input. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the second foot-operable switch, the first processing module and the second processing module being configured to:
 transition to the playback of the other main midi sequence, and 
 commence the recordation of the signal received from the instrument input. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the first foot-operable switch, the first processing module and the second processing module being configured to:
 transition to the playback of the other main midi sequence, and 
 stop the recordation of the signal received from the instrument input. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the second foot-operable switch, the first processing module and the second processing module being configured to:
 transition to the playback of the other main midi sequence, and 
 stop the recordation of the signal received from the instrument input. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the first foot-operable switch, the first processing module and the second processing module being configured to:
 transition to the playback of the other main midi sequence, and 
 transition from a playback of a first recorded loop to a playback of a second recorded loop. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , in response to one of the plurality of activation commands associated with the second foot-operable switch, the first processing module and the second processing module being configured to:
 transition to the playback of the other main midi sequence, and 
 transition from a playback of a first recorded loop to a playback of a second recorded loop. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first processing module is further configured to establish a tempo associated with a playback of the recorded loop based at least upon a tempo associated with the first processing module. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second processing module is further configured to:
 commence and stop the recordation of the signal at a time that is synchronized with a beat provided by the first processing module. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second processing module is further configured to:
 quantize a recorded signal in accordance to an aspect of a beat provided by the first processing module. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of activation commands correspond to signals generated from at least one of the following:
 a signal rapid depression of at least one of the following: the first foot-operable switch and the second foot-operable switch, 
 two rapid depressions in succession of at least one of the following: the first foot-operable switch and the second foot-operable switch, 
 three rapid depressions in succession of at least one of the following: the first foot-operable switch and the second foot-operable switch, and 
 a long depression of at least one of the following: the first foot-operable switch and the second foot-operable switch,
 wherein any one of the aforementioned corresponds to one or more of the plurality of activation commands. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first processing module is configured to receive an indication of a holding of the first foot-operable switch, during which the fill midi sequence associated with the main midi sequence is played back, and a release of the first foot-operable switch, in response to which a transition to the other main midi sequence is triggered. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first processing module and the second processing module are configured to be coupled via a MIDI interface. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first processing module and the second processing module are configured to be coupled via a USB interface. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first processing module and the second processing module are configured to be coupled via a wireless connection. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first processing module comprises a midi sequence module and wherein the second processing module comprises an external looping module.